Iron plays a major role in taking oxygen and moving it to where it is needed in the body. Iron is taken into the red blood cells and made into hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries the oxygen around in the body.

Keep away from children. Poisonings with iron happen most often in children. First signs of overdose include feeling tired, upset stomach, throwing up, belly pain, dark tarry-black stool, and a weak or fast heartbeat.

Sometimes drugs are not safe when you take them with certain other drugs. Taking them together can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your doctor about all the drugs you take.

Avoid

If you have an allergy to polysaccharide-iron complex or any other part of this drug.

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

If you have any of these health problems: Anemia from a cause other than low iron stores, too much iron in your body, or thalassemia.

Precautions

Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.

Check all drugs you are taking with your doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.

Do not take calcium, zinc, copper, or multivitamins that have any of these minerals within 2 hours of this drug.

Do not take antacids within 2 hours of this drug.

Do not take tetracycline within 4 hours of this drug.

Take antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin 2 hours before this drug.

Hard stools (constipation). Drinking more liquids, working out, or adding fiber to your diet may help. Talk with your doctor about a stool softener or laxative.

Loose stools (diarrhea).

Black stools.

Monitoring

Change in the health problem being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

Follow up with the doctor.

Contact a healthcare provider

If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.

Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue or gray skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Very upset stomach or throwing up.

Very loose stools (diarrhea).

Very hard stools (constipation).

If a child eats your capsules. Poisonings with iron happen most often in children. First signs of overdose include feeling tired, upset stomach, throwing up, belly pain, dark tarry-black stool, and a weak or fast heartbeat.

For women, period changes. These include lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.

Any rash.

Side effect or health problem is not better or you are feeling worse.

General Statements

If you have a very bad allergy, wear an allergy ID at all times.

Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.

Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.

Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.

Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.

Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.

The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.